Catheter thrombectomy to treat massive PE can rapidly reverse acute right ventricular failure and cardiogenic shock and therefore is potentially life-saving. Catheter thrombectomy represents the only reperfusion strategy when contraindications to thrombolysis are present or when surgical embolectomy is not feasible or not readily available. In addition, catheter thrombectomy is a minimally invasive interventional therapy without the need for cardiopulmonary bypass in the setting of the failing right ventricle. If no reperfusion therapy, including thrombolysis, catheter thrombectomy, or surgical embolectomy in addition to anticoagulation is initiated, the risk of death during hospitalization in patients with massive PE exceeds 30% (7,10).